Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade ($25)

As someone with naturally full brows, I only experimented with heavier brow products a handful of times—and when I did, it was this one. Like the rest of the world, I used it to sculpt my brows to the heavens in pursuit of the “Instagram brow” everyone wanted at the time. (For the record: it was always a jump scare for me.) That said, the formula itself is undeniably iconic. It still boasts five-star reviews across the board and makes brows look fuller in seconds.

BUY AT ULTA BEAUTY - $25

BUY AT SEPHORA - $25

Wet n Wild Color Icon Rainbow Highlighter

Did any of us need rainbow highlighter? Absolutely not. But something about how pretty it looked in the compact made it damn near impossible not to add to cart—even if you only planned to stare at it instead of actually putting it on your face. I fell into the latter category. While this gem of a product isn’t sold by Wet n Wild anymore (sorry!), you can probably track down a likely expired version on eBay if you’re curating your own makeup museum of sorts.

Urban Decay Naked3 Palette ($59)

No matter which Urban Decay palette you pledged your undying loyalty to, I just know one of them lived in your makeup bag—or at the very least, on your radar. It didn’t get much cooler than owning one. I still remember my mom gifting me the Naked3 for Christmas one of those years, and feeling like a celebrity when I opened it for the first time. (I may or may not still own that very one.)

BUY AT ULTA BEAUTY - $59

BUY AT SEPHORA - $59

Smashbox X BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter ($42)

Becca Cosmetics went out of business in 2021, but Smashbox stepped in to keep the brand’s cult-favorite pressed highlighter alive. Back in 2016, this formula was packed onto cheekbones everywhere, and the shade name “Champagne Pop” became so ubiquitous it was almost scary. To this day, it remains just as covetable.

BUY AT ULTA BEAUTY - $42

Kylie Cosmetics Matte Lip Kit ($35)

Few brands are as synonymous with 2016 beauty culture as Kylie Cosmetics. That year fell squarely into Kylie Jenner’s iconic “King Kylie” era, when ultra-matte lips, heavy contour and bold, ever-changing hair colors were on constant rotation. It was so influential that fans still lose it over throwback photos of her channeling the same aesthetic. Kylie Cosmetics has since expanded into glossier, more comfortable formulas to match today’s tastes, but the OG ultra-matte Lip Kits are, without a doubt, a timestamp of the era.

BUY AT ULTA BEAUTY - $35

BUY AT KYLIE COSMETICS - $35

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer ($32)

It’s hard to imagine a beauty world in which the ever-popular Tarte Shape Tape Concealer doesn’t exist, isn’t it? Launched in 2016, the beloved full-coverage, long-wearing formula is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year. It’s arguably the product on this list that still has the same mass appeal it did back then—and that’s saying something.

BUY AT ULTA BEAUTY - $32

BUY AT TARTE - $32

Pat McGrath Labs 004 Lust Lip Kit

2016 was very much the year of the lip kit, and that included anyone lucky enough to get their hands on this highly coveted, ultra–limited-edition set from Dame Pat McGrath. The glitter-filled makeup bag came stocked with two matte lipsticks, a clear lip gloss, metallic gold pigment and a pot of loose glitter—everything you needed to recreate one of the legendary makeup artist’s most recognizable runway lip looks.

Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer ($16)

I know I’m not the only one who went a little too heavy-handed with bronzer back in 2016. While my technique leaves much to be desired in hindsight, I stand by the Physicians Formula formula I obsessed over that year. It still blends beautifully—and the tropical scent alone is enough to bring me right back.

BUY AT ULTA BEAUTY - $16

BUY AT TARGET - $13

Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation

The chokehold this full-coverage foundation had on me in 2016 was off the charts. I definitely didn’t have the right shade for my skin tone—and I’m fairly sure few people did—but it was the formula to own if you wanted your makeup to last all day (and night). The foundation was eventually discontinued following the brand’s transition, after the founder sold her shares and the company rebranded as KVD in 2020.

Airspun Coty Loose Face Powder ($7)

And last but not least, Reddit has deemed this an essential part of 2016 glam routines, especially for anyone who was into baking, which took off like no other around that time. I never really got into it myself, yet the packaging alone takes me back and makes me feel some type of way. Plenty of people still rightfully obsess over it, and I’m starting to think it’s finally time I give it a try.

BUY AT TARGET - $7